Level 4 Arboriculturist Apprenticeship
Course Details
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Department
Forestry and Arboriculture -
Qualification
Level 4 -
Length
30-36 months -
Location(s)
York
Course at a glance
The broad purpose of the occupation is to undertake tree inspections and surveys, recording information on tree management databases and to evaluate each tree individually.
Entry Requirements
GCSEs
grade 4 (C) or above in English and Maths at GCSE level prior to commencement of their apprenticeship. However, should a candidate not have reached this level, employers will have to ensure they achieve Level 2 in English and maths. Adaptations for 19+ learners without English and Maths GCSE’s can be discussed upon enquiry.
Cost for students aged Under 22
Free
for students over the age of 22 please contact us
Evaluating a tree requires balancing a wide range of factors and is complex and varied by nature, Arboriculturists focus on well-defined and more commonly found situations. The Arboriculturist would be supported when dealing, for example, with ancient or veteran trees, those that are rare, those that are of historical or cultural importance or those involved in subsidence. They supervise contractors undertaking specified tree works and can check for the safety of the site and quality of work.
This occupation is found in arboricultural, utility, facilities management and grounds maintenance organisations. These include local authorities, arboricultural consultancies, estates, commercial organisations and charities.
Arboriculturists comply with legislation in relation to trees including making sure relevant authorities have approved work to be undertaken. They provide tree related advice – management and law. They manage woodland, having oversight of budgets, make grant applications and preparing quotes. They manage clients and engage with the public.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with colleagues, the general public, stakeholders, clients, landowners, lawyers, insurers, budget holders and organisations managing built infrastructure (for example utility companies, highways, street lighting, waterways, railways).
The course is delivered on day release and is delivered at the York campus.
Key Information
Through your daily work with your employer and your training sessions with the college, you will learn the requirements of the Level 4 Arboriculturist Apprenticeship. Although, where you can evident significant knowledge in the below prior to starting the course, you will not need to duplicate work and therefore your timescale may be reduced.
Examples of what you will learn:
- Interpret and deliver tree / woodland management plans with reference to the role of trees in national / local planning policy and the context in regard to development proposals.
- Survey tree populations in relation to design, demolition and construction including species identification, protections, size measurements, condition management recommendations, assessment of ‘useful life’ and quality assessments.
- Use tree management software including databases and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
- Work within defined budgets. Assist with sourcing of additional funding for example through grant applications. Write estimates and quotes for work. Develop costings for jobs.
For this apprenticeship the assessment will include:
- Multiple Choice test and short answer test
- Practical Demonstration based on your workplace
- Professional discussion about your journey and your workplace.
Your apprenticeship will be graded: Fail, Pass or Distinction.
How long does it take to become a tree surgeon (arborist)?
The duration of the apprenticeship is based on a skills analysis and the development opportunities within the business.
The duration for this apprenticeship training period is likely to be 30 months, with up to a further 6 months to undertake the End Point Assessment.
Individual employers will set their own selection criteria for the roles, but it is likely you are progressing within the Arb industry and are looking to lead on projects within the workplace or with teams of staff. You need a base understanding of the tickets required, experience of undertaking tree work and base knowledge of the certificates of competence required to be successful in Arb.
Most candidates will have achieved grade C/4 or above in English and Maths at GCSE level prior to commencement of their apprenticeship. However, should a candidate not have reached this level, employers will have to ensure they achieve Level 2 in English and maths. Adaptations for 19+ learners without English and Maths GCSE’s can be discussed upon enquiry.
Employers pay for apprenticeship training from their Growth and Skills Levy where applicable. Those who do not pay the Levy, will need to pay 5% towards the training cost (Maximum of £400). For employers, who employ an apprentice on this programme, before their 19th birthday or before 25th if they’ve been in care or have EHCP, the employer will qualify for a £1000 incentive (payable in 2x £500 payments).
The fees charged for the apprenticeship include any awarding body registration costs, all on-programme teaching, assessment and support delivered by the college, support materials, access to college facilities such as the Learning Resource Centre, OneFile, Enrolment, Student Moodle, and access to wider college student support services where required. There may be additional costs to the employer, should there be any need to re sit assessments at the end of their programme.
Employers must pay apprentices at least the minimum rate set out by current National Minimum Wage Legislation. This includes payment for all off-job learning and any associated costs such as travel and accommodation.
Click here to find more information about the National Minimum wage.
Your employer must enable you to complete assessments and further training in the workplace, to meet the minimum number of hours outlined in the original agreement which are discussed upon enquiry. It is recommended that an average of around 6 hours per week is suffice. This is defined as Off The Job (OTJ) learning. OTJ is undertaken outside of the normal day-to-day working environment and leads towards the achievement of the apprenticeship. This can include training that is delivered at your normal place of work but must not be delivered as part of your normal working duties and must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship standard. All of this will be discussed with employer and apprentice upon enquiry.
Off-job learning could include the following:
– Teaching of theory such as lectures, role playing, simulation exercises, online learning or manufacturer training
– Practical training such as shadowing experienced staff or mentoring, industry visits and attendance at competitions
– Study support and time spent writing assessments/assignments
Your employer must commit to supporting you in the workplace, participating in progress review meetings, providing use of ICT facilities so you can access your e-portfolio and agreeing/ensuring your readiness for the Apprenticeship Assessment. They may be required to provide further supporting evidence/endorsements about your performance, which form part of the Apprenticeship/End Point Assessment.
Further details of the End Point Assessment will be made available to you during your induction.
We will support you through regular Apprenticeship Progress Review meetings with you and your manager, provide well planned vocational training and theory delivery by block release model and support your theory learning in the workplace with a range of learning materials.
This programme is delivered at our York Campus on Block-release.
Applications should be made using the college application form or via the college website. This form can be found at: https://www.askham-bryan.ac.uk/application/register.
Upon receipt of your application, you will have an interview with the Course Manager.
Further information is available on:
Arborist / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
Or, for more information, contact the Apprenticeship Admin team on:
Student Voice
Hear what it's like being a arboriculture apprentice
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York Campus
York is the College's residential campus and is located just four miles from York city centre. At York we offer a full range of subject areas and levels including Apprenticeships, Level 1-3 Diplomas, Foundation, Top Up and BSc Honours Degrees.
